Addiction

I began doing work in substance use and addictions in graduate school and have continued to this day. I was the Team Lead of the integrative dual-diagnosis harm-reduction oriented Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the Austin Veterans Administration for 20 years. My speciality is in the recovery process for individuals who's substance use/addictive behavior is tied to significant sources of life trauma/hardship (such as minority stress) and/or other mental health conditions.

I use cognitive behavioral and acceptance and commitment approaches to address substance use issues. I am very familiar with the 12 step model, but do not insist that it is the only path to sobriety. There are as many approaches to recovery as there are people with substance use concerns. I will help you discover what your needs are, and how to meet those without using substances in a damaging way.

I have been an addictions counselor for 10 years and worked in various settings related to substance use disorders.

Have you been trying to cut back on drinking but keep finding yourself back in the same old pattern? Are you tired of feeling sick, out of control, and reliant on alcohol? You don't have to do this alone. By working one on one in therapy, we can identify ways that you can find relief and successfully reduce or abstain from drinking. Having a therapist that's experienced in alcohol abuse will support you in addressing underlying issues that have been keeping you stuck.

As an individual in long-term recovery, I intimately understand the challenges of getting and staying sober from alcohol and other substances. Loss of friends and your social circle, persistent feelings of isolation, and finding new means of coping with difficult situations/emotions/stress are just a few of the issues I tackle with clients in recovery. I am uniquely equipped to help both newly sober individuals as well as those in long-term recovery.

In addiction care, I focus on the intricacies of dependence, withdrawal, and relapse prevention. Leveraging years of experience, I create recovery plans that address the physical and psychological aspects of substance use disorders, fostering long-term wellness.

"Substance use and gambling disorders are complex conditions that affect the reward, reinforcement, motivation, and memory systems of the brain. They are characterized by impaired control over usage; social impairment, involving the disruption of everyday activities and relationships; and craving. Continuing use is typically harmful to relationships as well as to obligations at work or school," (Psychology Today, 2022).

Blocks in creativity can make us stuck and stagnant as a result of falling into addictive patterns. Addictive energy can feel intense and fiery, just like the energy of creativity. The work is to channel that addictive energy into your passion, even if you aren’t quite sure what that is. We will find it together. As Garbor Mate puts it, “addiction is the opposite of connection,” and this includes connection with ourselves.

I have worked in the substance abuse field since 2007. I have worked with clients from acute inpatient treatment through sober living and aftercare

Do you find yourself drinking more than you would like to? Are you feeling ashamed about how much you drink or the way that you behave when you drink? Do you want to cut down, but have been unable to do so? Therapy can help, and EMDR Therapy can help you to get at the root of what is causing you to drink. EMDR is an evidenced-based treatment for trauma known for it's gentleness and effectiveness. Visit my website to learn more and set up a free 15 minute consultation. https://jenimarie.org/

With experience working in corrections, I have a breadth of knowledge to assist clients in understanding cycles of addictions. We will work together to uncover the root of problematic behaviors, to facilitate lasting change.

Alcohol misuse can be especially difficult to address due to its availability and the way we've normalized its use as coping mechanism. With the use of behavioral interventions and medication (when appropriate and desired), we can help you determine whether moderation is the right goal for you.

We don't talk enough about unwanted behaviors, their root and their protective factors. I address any unwanted behavior, but I do specialize in alcohol use, as the opportunity for harm reduction has, sadly, not been fervently explored in our 'treatment' methods for this dis-ease. I'm well versed in multiple modalities and firmly adhere to choice being a primary factor in any recovery journey. A journey that must start with the individual, where they are at and what works for them!

My background is in working in residential and outpatient treatment settings that help individuals and families recover from various addictions and associated difficulties, such as trauma, grief, codependency, and relationship problems. Seeing my clients recover and live their lives in a way that aligns with their own personal values is the greatest privilege of my career. If you are sober-curious or simply want to better understand or moderate your alcohol use- we can do that work together!

Addiction is when you have a need or urge to do something or use something that can interfere with your functioning in other areas of your life. What are the signs of addiction? -craving and fixation -not being able to stop -secrecy or denial -loss of control over the use or behaviour -increased or excessive use -withdrawal symptoms -sacrificing other commitments so you can continue your addiction -continuing addiction in spite of negative consequences.

I have worked with many individuals encountering addiction. Using a humanist approach that doesn't further shame the individual.

Maybe you're drinking a little more than you would like. Drinking can temporally take away our worries or stress, as well as providing comfort and confidence. However, drinking can also numb our feelings and affect relationships, our sleep, cognition, and our health. Together we can explore what you're drinking is providing you, while looking at a moderation management program or becoming sober.

Addiction often presents itself in various forms. The impact of addiction results in cycles of negative behaviors affecting the individual and those they love. As a licensed addiction specialist, I provide clinical services to support and guide you through the process of recovery and change in a caring and non-judgmental atmosphere.

Substance Dependence is not just a one person problem. It is a family problem. I face this challenge with the addicted persons and work on helping them learn skills to stop their use and teach them how to process through past traumas that may have started their substance use issues. I also encourage family sessions to work through the sickness with everyone involved to create a stable environment.